66 TIMBER 
made to Glasgow and elsewhere in the United 
Kingdom. 
Speaking of the wood generally, it has not the high 
qualities which characterise the Central American 
descriptions. Very few of the varieties have the firm, 
close texture -of the older mahoganies, the grain being 
longer, the wood much more porous. This latter 
defect militates against a high polish being obtained, 
and for high-class cabinet work it is, therefore, not in 
favour. It has, however, many qualities which make 
it popular, supplies are invariably plentiful, it can be 
obtained in splendid dimensions, both in regard to 
lengths and diameters, most of the wood is readily 
worked, and some of the grades are marketed at a very 
low price : in addition, a good proportion of the wood is 
more or less well figured. This latter wood is always 
in demand, especially for the American markets, and 
some account of the high prices sometimes realised 
has been given in a previous chapter. 
As before remarked, the approximate limits of the 
country from which these mahoganies are extracted 
extends as far north as the River Gambia, but, although 
the wood is known to exist in this locality, no great 
exploitation has taken place any further than the 
French Ivory Coast possession. Most of the principal 
varieties are drawn from this colony, from ports on the 
Gold Coast and in Southern Nigeria, and others from 
shipping points in the French Congo. Following these 
few introductory remarks, some attempt at describing 
the varied characteristics of the several varieties may 
now be made. 
Assinee Wood.—From a port bearing this name on 
the French Ivory Coast, this wood is largely exported 
It is shipped in excellent dimensions and is practically 
all sold in the Liverpool market. The colour of the | 
